Book Description:Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. The final, demeaning straw comes when Demeter makes Katie dye her roots in the office. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.

Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.

Sophie Kinsella is celebrated for her vibrant, relatable characters and her great storytelling gifts. Now she returns with all of the wit, warmth, and wisdom that are the hallmarks of her bestsellers to spin this fresh, modern story about presenting the perfect life when the reality is far from the image.

Goodness, I didn't realize how much I'd been missing Sophie
Kinsella's books until I got a chance to read this one. I completely agree
everyone who says this book has all the charm of Kinsella's older stories!

Heroine Katie is endearing and relatable, and her narrative
is hilarious even when everything is a disaster. I laughed out loud numerous
times throughout this story. I especially loved Katie's relationship with her
Dad and Biddy and how that grows through the story, as well as the unexpected
friendship she develops. The romance in this was a nice element. Although slow
to get going and not my favorite of Kinsella's romances (Can You Keep
A Secret and Twenties Girl
are my favorites), it turned out well in the end. I just wish we'd gotten to
know Alex more and sooner.

This story is all about the disconnect between perception and reality, and it is very timely for our social media obsessed world. Although the message - that it's easy project a false image
of ourselves through social media, but we shouldn't be afraid to show our real
selves - is clearly shown, I did think it was a little over the
top and black and white in its directness. (Spoiler: Suddenly Demeter is
actually totally good! and 100% misunderstood! I wish she'd acknowledged more
of how awful she was, instead of Katie mostly feeling like she'd misunderstood
her boss. /End spoiler)

I read this story in one day on a long road trip, and had
the best time hanging out with Katie and her family and watching her begin to
see herself and others more clearly and real-ly (haha. Not a word, I know). I
want to go glamping in a yurt on their farm now! Definitely recommended for
Kinsella fans - and if you haven't read her books, read this and then pick up
her back catalog (although maybe skip Shopaholic).

2 comments:

The last couple of books that I'd read by Kinsella weren't real hits for me, hence the reason I completely overlooked this one, but from your review it sounds absolutely fantastic. It sort of gives off the vibe of her earlier books that I read and loved over and over (my copy of Can You Keep a Secret is absolutely battered). Thank you for convincing me to give this book a go Lauren!

About Me

I’ve always been a reader. When I was younger, I read every single time I got into the car. Once I started driving, I had no idea how to get anywhere. I still take a book with me wherever I go – even if it’s just the kindle app on my phone – and read as much as I can (Don’t worry, I don’t read while driving!). When people ask me what I do for fun, I tell them: I don’t do crafts. I read.